Roach had started 59 games for the Bears since they signed him in 2007 — mostly at strong side linebacker — after he was cut by the San Diego Chargers. Roach went undrafted out of Northwestern before he was picked up by the Chargers.

The move leaves the Bears with only one starting linebacker from last season still on their roster, after they let middle linebacker Brian Urlacher hit free agency this week.

Bears general manager Phil Emery has said the team has approached Urlacher about coming back, but said the price has to be right, and said negotiations with Urlacher are “an ongoing process.”